Black Belt vs. PMP Certification. Friend or Foe?

Transcription

1 Black Belt vs. PMP Certification Friend or Foe?

2 Tantalizing Tidbits What is Six Sigma and a Black Belt? Why Certification? How do the Certifications Compare? So Why the Difference? Best Practices can be Shared Create Visible PMP Certification Structure Keep the PMP in the Spotlight!

3 What is Six Sigma & a Black Belt? In 5 minutes or less. (Check out PMI s other Six Sigma speakers)

4 What is a Six Sigma Black Belt What is Six Sigma? Methodology that helps companies reduce costs and accelerate growth through discipline and long-term culture change Improves business processes companywide, by using tools to build process capability, by reducing variation, and improving quality Focus is on delighting the customer (voice of the customer) & providing excellent service in all business functions, not just manufacturing

5 Create visible certification structure Work is completed in a Project Team Led by a company s employee who is a trained Six Sigma expert. These project managers have titles related to their level of Six Sigma training, such as Black Belt or Green Belt. The team is populated with members who also have some basic Six Sigma training, such as yellow or white belts.

6 What is a Six Sigma Black Belt Six Sigma projects have very specific charters, timelines, and goals; and specifically target repeatable, established processes. The DMAIC (pronounced duh-may-ick) methodology is the cornerstone of Six Sigma, providing discipline and structure to specific project teams. DMAIC stands for Define - Measure - Analyze - Improve - Control, which represent the major phases or gates of the project lifecycle.

7 How do the Lifecycles Work Together? PMI s 5 Process Groups Standard project lifecycle DMAIC Six Sigma project lifecycle Initiating Planning Monitoring Define (includes initial charter creation by sponsor) Measure Executing Analyze Improve Closing Control Realization

8 So Black Belts and PMP s aren t so different? Are the certifications the same?

9 Why Certification? Validation Reputation Credentials Standards Ethics Best Practices Legal Requirements Filter Career Recourse Tangible Confidence Hype Buzz Compensation Transference Skills Assurance Risk Management!

10 So Why the Difference? The Power of the title PMP Project Management Gurus - provide industry specialization (construction, government, IT, etc.), structure, detail-orientation, software solutions Create and populate PMOs and major initiatives - are thought of as individuals, rather than part of a group infrastructure Business leaders may refer to them as Hidden Gems, Secret Weapons, and Go-to People

11 So Why the Difference? The Power of the title Black Belt Evokes historical images of discipline, training, excellence, ethics, standardization Currently associated with overall performance and leadership, not just project management. Read: executive involvement and sponsorship Common buzz in today s Business vocabulary Problem? Solution => Get me a Black Belt! That s Visibility!

12 How Do the Certifications Compare Black Belt Certification Companies determine criteria and candidates Complete 4-6 weeks training & additional software training Testing of course material Approval by sponsor, mentor, Master Black Belt, boss Complete 2 projects with specified $$$ savings Coach Green Belts and team members Deliver training and communication in business units Most BBs have to work full-time in position for months Average cost : $25,000 - $50,000 Certification by BB s employer PMP Certification Individual determines desire to be a PMP candidate Application to sit for certification exam approved by PMI Specified # of hours of previous project management experience Minimum # of prior PDUs and formal education Complete some method of examination preparation Pass PMP certification exam Sign Project Management Code of Professional Conduct Complete 60 PDUs in next 3 years to maintain certification Average cost : $1,500 - $3,000 Certification by PMI

13 So How Do PMP s Get Some of that Visibility? Borrow Best Practices!

14 Create visible certification structure Artificially create visible certification structure Sponsorship and Executive Involvement Safety & Savings in Big Numbers Timelines & Deliverables Communication Plan Celebrate Success Run it like a Project!

15 Create visible certification structure Sponsorship and Executive Involvement WIFM What s in it for ME? ROI and other financial metrics Best practices & repeatable processes Invite outside speakers Strive for full company sponsorship Company investments in time, $$$ and resources are measured and tracked (your personal dedications is not!)

16 Create visible certification structure Safety & Savings in Big Numbers Broad Based Participation Study Groups, Mentoring Resources, Accountability Collaborative execution creates enhanced results Sponsors pressured to support Reduced costs Materials, Instructors, Meeting facilities, PMI membership

17 Create visible certification structure Timelines & Deliverables Shows commitment and dedication Tangible plan for leaders to gauge and measure Easy to incorporate in divisional and individual objectives and reviews Drives sense of urgency Represents future PMP s ability to contribute value through project management skills

18 Create visible certification structure Communication Plan Be your own PR whiz, because it is about buzz, motivation, and excitement If they don t know about, they can t support you Stakeholder communication a PMP candidate s strongest (but most underutilized) asset Don t forget about the WIFM

19 Create visible certification structure Celebrate Success Key Milestones that are truly deserving Highlight benefits and value to organization Be generous in sharing acknowledgments Inclusive rather than exclusive Make sure to reach beyond the car-ride employees : (sales, decentralized locations, customers, suppliers, overseas, etc.)

20 Now What? We re Certified!

21 Keep the PMP in the Spotlight Highlight ongoing PMP contributions Report on Key Performance Indicators Foster On-going Certification Activities Research and Introduce Best Practices Focus on Internal Collaboration Expand on External Collaboration Run it like a Program!

22 Keep the PMP in the Spotlight Report on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) formal or informal* $$ Savings Revenue Increase Customer satisfaction / loyalty Risk Management Success Project duration reduction ROI Break-Even Point IRR Resource Utilization Levels Give your boss or sponsor something good to talk about

23 Keep the PMP in the Spotlight Foster On-going Certification Activities The More the Merrier help other colleagues complete the certification steps Remind current PMP s of PDU opportunities Create updates on bi-annual basis for senior management with key internal and external statistics

24 Keep the PMP in the Spotlight Research and Introduce Best Practices Keep up with industry news and research Utilize PMI s resources fully Represent your company at events, summits, conferences Introduce new practices as appropriate through various company communication channels

25 Keep the PMP in the Spotlight External Collaboration Create a Pull environment where customers, suppliers, and vendors are requesting to work with a PMP Be active in professional associations Volunteer your skills in your community Participate on Company outreach teams and boards

26 Keep the PMP in the Spotlight Internal Collaboration Embrace and be knowledgeable about a variety of methodologies Help stakeholders understand how various project tools, reporting requirements, teams, and methods can work together and enhance results Work with leaders to identify possible discrepancies or redundancies and propose solutions for bridging these differences

27 Thanks! For more information contact: Michelle Goodman MGB Business Services, Inc